It was mixed emotions Friday as muggles across the land lined up to buy their tickets. Yes, we got in line. For some reason, reserving my seat via smartphone didn't seem right. I wanted this one for the scrap book.
Yes witches and wizards, the end is near. We've watched the film's stars grow to be mature and attractive (dare I say sexy? Double-dog-dare I say sexual?!) adults, and though we've waited with baited breath over the years for opening day of each film, we seemed to take it a little easier this time.
In the past, it was like the day after Christmas- you've got a pocket full of cash with no end in sight... so what's a new sweater, three cups of coffee at Starbucks, a new pair of jeans, etc. But when you get down to that last $20 or so, we tend to think harder about our purchases- try to savor every last penny.
So is the case with Potter. Before, it seemed like the movies were a kind of Christmas gift that came every year. New and exciting, the films left us exhillerated and counting down the days until the next one was released.
This time, the thought of the next film being released actually releases nothing but a dull sadness. It is like realising that childhood is over...again. For the next film will in fact be the last.
We knew it was coming. Those of us who are a few years above the proper H.P. demographic when the books were first released have sort of a nurturing relationship with Harry and the gang. We love them, we cheer them on, we wish we could be their older brothers and sisters, or maybe their teachers at Hogwarts! Kids (now in college) who grew up with the books, well, I have to say I can't imagine what they are feeling.
They've got it worse. They read about the death of beloved Dumbledore, then had to witness it on screen a few years later. I still haven't read the last book, but saw the tears streaming down my sister's face as she flew through the pages of the seventh book. These kids don't know a world without Harry Potter. (Author's note: my sister has been given fair warning, on several occasions, that if she tells me even one hint of a detail from HP7, she will be flogged.)
As I took my seat and anxiously waited for that awesome, rusty version of "WB" to appear from the blackness, I knew I was in for a treat, but I knew I had to make it last.
Dec 2, 2010
Energy Vampire Slayahhhh
Blog post for USHP Charleston on vampire slaying:
U. S. Home Protect of Charleston
WOW! Did you know that in the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off? The new term for these appliances that are sucking the money from your utility budget is "energy vampires."
Energy vampires are things like televisions, microwaves and phone chargers that stay plugged in all day, and even though the machine may be powered off (or just not being used, in the case of a microwave, phone charger, etc.) the appliance is still getting power.
No, this is not the same kind of creepy vampire as that one from Twilight that your daughter always talks about. Unlike Edward Cullen, these vampires are real threats! No, they won't bite you (unless you decided that wiring your bathroom sounded like a good DIY project and have no prior experience as an electrician) but they can be cause for some pretty extreme and unnecessary power bills.
But don't fear! There are several solutions, and none involve wooden crosses or silver bullets. The best and perhaps easiest solution is to plug these appliances that sit unused all day into a power strip. When you leave in the morning, turn it off! This will keep precious power from flowing into the teeth (read: prongs?) of what powers your gadgets.
Try this for a month and let us know how it works out for you...This might be the one and only time you get excited to open that power bill!
U. S. Home Protect of Charleston
WOW! Did you know that in the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off? The new term for these appliances that are sucking the money from your utility budget is "energy vampires."
Energy vampires are things like televisions, microwaves and phone chargers that stay plugged in all day, and even though the machine may be powered off (or just not being used, in the case of a microwave, phone charger, etc.) the appliance is still getting power.
No, this is not the same kind of creepy vampire as that one from Twilight that your daughter always talks about. Unlike Edward Cullen, these vampires are real threats! No, they won't bite you (unless you decided that wiring your bathroom sounded like a good DIY project and have no prior experience as an electrician) but they can be cause for some pretty extreme and unnecessary power bills.
But don't fear! There are several solutions, and none involve wooden crosses or silver bullets. The best and perhaps easiest solution is to plug these appliances that sit unused all day into a power strip. When you leave in the morning, turn it off! This will keep precious power from flowing into the teeth (read: prongs?) of what powers your gadgets.
Try this for a month and let us know how it works out for you...This might be the one and only time you get excited to open that power bill!
Insulate your home...or just read my blog.
This is a post that I did for a contractor that did insulation and other green solutions for homeowners in Charleston SC. Appreciate the cheese, please.
U. S. Home Protect of Charleston
“Since the beginning of time 'twas written in the stones that one day a band would come..."
And it has!!
Unfortunately, you live in a neighborhood that has expressly prohibited rock-offs in their covenant, right below boat parking and above swimming pool construction.
Do you have a sneaking suspicion that your 85 year-old neighbor is not a fan of the face-melters you’ve (almost) perfected (on beginner level) on Guitar Hero? Does your dog hide under the couch every time you begin wailing your best Meatloaf impersonation into a shampoo bottle in the shower?
Your little crooner may very well be the next Davis or Coltraine, but for now that C flat sounds like…well, something else. Sharp.
And don’t think for one second that your wife even tries to put a lid on the highest note of “My Heart Will Go On” while singing into the mop handle, “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” style. Girl Power.
Sounds like your motley crew would benefit from a little sound proofing. No, not the way you wallpapered your parents’ garage with egg crates in high school for band practice…insulation has come a long way, baby. Sealection 500 is a foam insulation that is sprayed into your walls, filling up every nook and cranny. The open cells in the foam (think sponge) absorb sound waves, keeping noise from escaping into your neighbor’s house.
Remember that 85 year-old neighbor who hates your guitar riffs, namely Freebird? Well it just so happens that you are not a huge fan of her husband’s dire need to mow the grass at 7 o'clock Saturday morning. Lucky for you, Sealection not only keeps you from having to fight the law (Livability Court citations in Charleston for noise violations are $1,098!) but it will also keep noise from lawnmowers, trains, and polka music out.
If your power bill leaves you dazed and confused every month, listen up! Properly insulated homes are energy efficient. In other words, brace yourself for totally tubular utility bill savings.
So next time your brood decides to relocate in search of more space to powerslide, consider the benefits of insulating your venue with Sealection 500.
Till then,
Rock on.
U. S. Home Protect of Charleston
“Since the beginning of time 'twas written in the stones that one day a band would come..."
And it has!!
Unfortunately, you live in a neighborhood that has expressly prohibited rock-offs in their covenant, right below boat parking and above swimming pool construction.
Do you have a sneaking suspicion that your 85 year-old neighbor is not a fan of the face-melters you’ve (almost) perfected (on beginner level) on Guitar Hero? Does your dog hide under the couch every time you begin wailing your best Meatloaf impersonation into a shampoo bottle in the shower?
Your little crooner may very well be the next Davis or Coltraine, but for now that C flat sounds like…well, something else. Sharp.
And don’t think for one second that your wife even tries to put a lid on the highest note of “My Heart Will Go On” while singing into the mop handle, “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” style. Girl Power.
Sounds like your motley crew would benefit from a little sound proofing. No, not the way you wallpapered your parents’ garage with egg crates in high school for band practice…insulation has come a long way, baby. Sealection 500 is a foam insulation that is sprayed into your walls, filling up every nook and cranny. The open cells in the foam (think sponge) absorb sound waves, keeping noise from escaping into your neighbor’s house.
Remember that 85 year-old neighbor who hates your guitar riffs, namely Freebird? Well it just so happens that you are not a huge fan of her husband’s dire need to mow the grass at 7 o'clock Saturday morning. Lucky for you, Sealection not only keeps you from having to fight the law (Livability Court citations in Charleston for noise violations are $1,098!) but it will also keep noise from lawnmowers, trains, and polka music out.
If your power bill leaves you dazed and confused every month, listen up! Properly insulated homes are energy efficient. In other words, brace yourself for totally tubular utility bill savings.
So next time your brood decides to relocate in search of more space to powerslide, consider the benefits of insulating your venue with Sealection 500.
Till then,
Rock on.
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